“Octomom from the Bible! (Lk 1:36)”

15 days till the BIRTH of CHRIST,

and this is the 11th day of the ADVENT season.

“HO, HO, HO-ly God, We Praise Thy Name!”

Quote of the Day:

On the sixth day, God created the platypus. And God said: let’s see the evolutionists try and figure this one out.

Today’s Meditation:

And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren. (NAB Lk 1:36)

Gabriel was one busy Archangel. Besides appearing to Mary, he first appeared to Zechariah and his wife, Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth. Unlike Mary, who immediately accepted God’s gift of pregnancy, Zechariah did not.

Zechariah questioned the possibility of his elderly wife getting pregnant. He was immediately made unable to talk or speak (in Lk 1:63 he needed a tablet to answer what name to call their baby), and stayed that way until after the birth and circumcision of John (the Baptist).

God is a merciful god, but also a God of swift judgement. Mary said yes, and was rewarded with the crown of a queen, in heaven. Zechariah resisted, and was immediately struck with an infirmity. I believe this is what will happen to all of us upon our earthly deaths as well. Those living a true christian life, filled with the virtues God so dearly loved will find an immediate reward in heaven. Those with ‘deadly sins’ on their souls on their death, are doomed to a horrible existence in hell.

Pax et Bonum

Dan Halley, SFO

*****

Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) Rule #9:

The Virgin Mary, humble servant of the Lord, was open to His every word and call. She was embraced by Francis with indescribable love and declared the protectress and advocate of his family. The Secular Franciscans should express their ardent love for her by imitating her complete self-giving and by praying earnestly and confidently.